Feasibility Study of Feasibility Study of Geothermal Geothermal

Heating SystemsHeating Systemsat Ithaca Collegeat Ithaca College

Sanya LeviSanya LeviProf. Beth Ellen ClarkProf. Beth Ellen Clark

April 6, 2005 Whalen April 6, 2005 Whalen SymposiumSymposium

The Adam Joseph Lewis Center for The Adam Joseph Lewis Center for Environmental StudiesEnvironmental Studies

Example of a campus building that uses geothermal heat pumps

Requirements for LEED certificationRequirements for LEED certification Minimum Energy Performance Minimum Energy Performance CFC Reduction in HVAC EquipmentCFC Reduction in HVAC Equipment

Geothermal Heat Pumps

Energy Efficient Environmentally Friendly

Greenhouse reduction is equal to planting 1 acre of trees or taking 2 cars off the road

Geothermal SystemsGeothermal Systems

RefrigeratorRefrigerator

Geothermal Heat Geothermal Heat PumpPump

Comparison between conventional Comparison between conventional system and geothermal heat pump system and geothermal heat pump

Q=mcQ=mcΔΔTT

average winter day average winter day 22F or 268K 22F or 268K average room temperature average room temperature 74F or 298K 74F or 298K energy required energy required Q1=mc(30K)Q1=mc(30K)

average annual temperatureaverage annual temperature 60F or 291K 60F or 291K average desired room average desired room 74F or 298K74F or 298Kenergy required energy required Q2=mc(7K)Q2=mc(7K)

Q1/Q2 = mc(30K)/mc(7K) = 4Q1/Q2 = mc(30K)/mc(7K) = 4

Geothermal is 4 times more efficientGeothermal is 4 times more efficient

Why geothermalWhy geothermal

Stable Heat Source - Energy EfficientStable Heat Source - Energy Efficient Indoor unitIndoor unit

• Reduced noiseReduced noise• Low maintenanceLow maintenance• No vandalism or weatheringNo vandalism or weathering

No back up heat source requiredNo back up heat source required• Greatly reduces the greenhouse gas emissionsGreatly reduces the greenhouse gas emissions• Does not burn fuelDoes not burn fuel

How much can we save by using How much can we save by using geothermal heat pumps at IC?geothermal heat pumps at IC?

AssumptionsAssumptions Fuel prices increase at about 2%Fuel prices increase at about 2% Payback time 25 yearsPayback time 25 years

FactorsFactors Current use of natural gas and electricityCurrent use of natural gas and electricity Installation costInstallation cost Incentives from the stateIncentives from the state Electricity use is lower with heat pumpsElectricity use is lower with heat pumps Fuel is unnecessary with heat pumpsFuel is unnecessary with heat pumps

Center of Natural SciencesCenter of Natural SciencesYearly Operating and Maintenance Cost Yearly Cumulative Savings

Gannet CenterGannet CenterYearly Operating and Maintenance Cost Cumulative Yearly Savings

Muller HallMuller HallYearly Operating and Maintenance Cost Cumulative Yearly Savings

ConclusionConclusion

Our study indicates that GHPs are Our study indicates that GHPs are economically feasibleeconomically feasible

Savings Savings $25,000-112,000 per building per year$25,000-112,000 per building per year 85 million ft85 million ft33 fuel per year (CNS) fuel per year (CNS) 10,200,000 lbs of CO10,200,000 lbs of CO22 per building per year per building per year

(CNS)(CNS) GHPs are an important option that IC needs GHPs are an important option that IC needs

to consider to make existing buildings more to consider to make existing buildings more sustainablesustainable